Fantasy MLS 2015 Round 3 Review (Part 1)

I’m going to try something new this year with these player picks write-ups that was inspired by the work my friend Berbacat does at Fantasy Football First. If it works, I’ll try to keep it up. If not, well then back to the old way. So let me know what you think of this Fantasy MLS 2015 Round 3 Review (Part 1).

New England Revolution 0 – Montreal Impact 0

Highlights

It was a series of missed opportunities for the Revolution who, after out shooting, out possessing, and out numbering the Impact, were not able to come away with their first 2015 win. The first half started slow for both teams with just a handful of on target shots and wasted chances. The most significant developments were two injuries suffered by Montreal’s Porter and Oduro which resulted in both leaving the game early. The second half tipped more to New England’s favor after Camara received his second yellow card, but they were not able to turn that advantage into a dangerous attack.

Fantasy Standouts

• Victor Cabrera (MTL $6.5): With Ciman getting called up for international duty, Cabrera is likely to start again for Montreal in their game against Orlando next week. He’s an affordable CB who had respectable CBI numbers so I’d expect him to return a decent score even without a clean sheet.
• Chris Tierney (NE $7.4): Just like last week, Tierney sent more crosses into the box than the rest of his team combines (9 vs 8). I find his price to be a little high but once New England gets their attack in order, he’ll be one of the best options for managers who like attacking defenders.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Every other field player: This was just a slow game. New England is still trying to figure things out and Montreal has been so unlucky with injuries that it’s been hard for them to build a consistent connection between players. Both teams represent risky player picks.

Colorado Rapids 0 – New York City FC 0

Highlights

After a week off, Colorado hit the field with just as much energy and they did in Round 1 and proved that they may not be as big of a pushover as many people expected at the start of the season. From the start of the game, Colorado continued to test NYCFC’s defense with attacking buildups, led by Torres and Powers, resulting in over 20 shots. Fortunately Josh Saunders brought his usual form and came up with several big saves. As for NYCFC, threatening plays were few and far between with star players Villa and Mix providing mostly uninspiring performances.

Fantasy Standouts

• Dillon Powers (COL $7.5): After being a sub in Round 1, Powers was the clear creative leader for the Rapids in this game with multiple dangerous shots on goal and several key passes into the box. With form like this, the upcoming away match to Houston and home game against New England may not be as difficult as initially expected.
• Gabriel Torres (COL $6.9): Much of what was said about Powers can be said for Torres again. He was very involved in the attack during the NYCFC game with the majority of his danger coming in the second half. Now that Brown has left, he seems to have secured the starting spot and looks promising for future fantasy points.
• Josh Saunders (NYC $5.7): The rock of NYCFC. Saunders has put up three amazing games and judging by the beating his body takes each week, I’m pretty sure that he’ll be part bionic by the end of the season. Saunders is currently one of the best fantasy options from NYCFC right now.

Fantasy Letdowns

• NYCFC attack: I believe it’s too harsh to blame NYCFC’s lack of scoring on one player. It’s true to Villa and Mix did not have as good of games as they did last week, but most of this could be attributed to the higher altitude and they did have a couple of promising moments. Ultimately, I don’t believe they were ready for the aggressiveness or the Colorado offense and were forced to play too deep to take advantage of counter attack opportunities.

Philadelphia Union 0 – FC Dallas 2

Highlights

Philly came out strong in the first 30 min of the game and was able to control the pace and generate several scoring opportunities. After putting up three goals against Real Salt Lake, many had hopes that Philly could put an end to Dallas’ winning streak, but with the loss of Maidana and a late red card given to Zach Pfeffer in the first half, Dallas had just the edge it needed to extend their winning streak to three games. The game turned to Dallas’ favor in the second half with goals from Tesho Akindele in the 49th min and preseason standout Ryan Hollingshead in the 59th. Philly did its best to respond, but being a player down proved too great of a hurdle and were only able to generate three shots in the second half.

Fantasy Standouts

• Ryan Hollingshead (DAL $5.5): After coming up with nothing in Round 1, Hollingshead has earned an assist and a goal after being subbed on in his last two games. With international call ups next week, we may just get another chance at starting. At worst, he’s a $5.5 mid you can use for a switcharoo.
• Fabian Casillo (DAL $9.8): After 3 games, it looks like the question has finally been answered, Castillo is breaking away as the standout of the three attacking Dallas midfielders. His next game could be tough against Seattle, but the schedule gets a lot easier after starting in Round 6.

Fantasy Letdowns

• PHI offense: With Maidana getting injured between games, and Pfeffer getting a red card, Philly is seriously lacking a creative attacking midfielder. Even though they have some hard hitters in Le Toux, Wenger, and Aristeguieta, so far they have not been very productive without a good CAM, and it’s hard to bet on more goals until Maidana returns….but they do play Chicago in Round 4.

Orlando City SC 0 – Vancouver Whitecaps 0

Highlights

This gif sums up much of Orlando’s game against Vancouver. Much of the first half was slow with Vancouver relying on counter attacking due to the overwhelming advantage Orlando had in possession. But it’s all about what you do with the ball right? That’s where Vancouver had the advantage and if finally paid off in the closing minutes when Rivero scored off of the service from a Porales set play. It was a disappointing result for Orlando after surviving its rush with the stomach bug and putting up a solid defensive performance.

Fantasy Standouts

• Octavio Rivero (VAN $8.7): Three goals in three games. That’s really all that needs to be said right? Even after multiple misses, Rivero seems able to find a way to get a goal. His consistency and good schedule make him very attractive for the coming rounds.
• Pedro Morales (VAN $11.1): FINALLY! After three games Porales has paid off for those managers who stuck with him, even it it did take the entire game to do it. He earned 2 crosses and 3 key passes and assisted the game winning goal. This is what we expect from Porales and should be enough to at least have him on your watch list going into the DGW in a couple of Rounds.

Fantasy Letdowns

• Kaka (ORL $11.1): For such an expensive and popular player to come away with three points at home is a definite letdown. Vancouver did a good job to close down the space he had to dribble, but people expect magic from Kaka after Round 1 and that’s just not happened. Maybe a game against the weakened Montreal will boost his score again.
• Pa-Modou Kah (VAN $6.6): One of the cheaper CB options, many had hoped that rumors of Kah not traveling to this game were false, but they were not. It’s nothing serious though, he just stayed behind for family reasons, so if you got burned by his absence this round, he should be back.

That’s my breakdown for the first half of Round 2. What do you think? Did any players jump out at you who you think deserve to be highlighted? Mention them in the comments below, or send me a Tweet and let me know. Also, don’t forget to get involved with the get community her at MLS Fantasy Boss and over at /r/FantasyMLS.